You’re standing on a freezing ledge in the Mount Lanayru region, shivering despite your Rito armor, staring at a pedestal that won't stop glowing orange. It's frustrating. You know there's a Shrine under your feet—the Suma Sahma Shrine, to be exact—but the game doesn't just hand it to you. This is the secret of snowy peaks breath of the wild, and honestly, it’s one of those puzzles that makes you realize just how much Nintendo loves making us wait for the sun to hit a very specific spot.
The quest itself comes from a tattered mountain diary left in a ruined cabin on Daval Peak. It’s cryptic. The notes mention a "snowy pedestal" and a "shining stone," which sounds simple until you’re actually there trying to figure out if you need to build a fire, drop a diamond, or just jump off the cliff in despair. Most players get stuck because they try to overthink the mechanics. They think they need a specific elemental weapon or a rare item. Nope. It’s way more low-tech than that.
Where Most People Mess Up the Secret of Snowy Peaks
Look, the biggest mistake is the timing. Breath of the Wild’s internal clock is your best friend or your worst enemy here. The diary tells you to "guide the white orb's shadow to the center of the pedestal." If you arrive at midnight, you’re just going to be standing in the dark getting jumped by Stal-enemies. You need the sun. Specifically, the afternoon sun.
You have to find a cold-water puddle nearby, or more conveniently, use the small body of water right next to the pedestal. You’re looking for a snowball. Not just any snowball, but one you've rolled enough to make it big enough to cast a significant shadow, but not so big that Link can't pick it up. If it’s too small, the shadow won't cover the sun-activated trigger on the pedestal. If it's a massive boulder, you’re going to struggle to position it.
The Physics of Shadow Casting
Here is the trick: you aren't throwing the snowball. You’re holding it.
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Wait until the clock hits around 16:00 (4:00 PM). As the sun starts its descent behind the peaks to the west, its light will hit the pedestal. You need to stand between the sun and that glowing orange circle. Hold the snowball over your head. You'll see its shadow dancing across the ground. The goal is to align that shadow so it sits perfectly in the center of the pedestal.
It’s finicky. You’ll probably move an inch to the left, and the shadow will veer off. Move back to the right. The sun is moving constantly, so the shadow is "drifting" even while you stand still. When the shadow hits the sweet spot, the pedestal turns blue. That’s your signal. The ground shakes, the cinematic plays, and the Suma Sahma Shrine rises from the snow.
Why This Quest Still Bothers Completionists
The secret of snowy peaks breath of the wild is a prime example of the game’s "emergent gameplay." There isn't a cutscene that explains the logic. You have to observe the environment. If it’s snowing or cloudy, you’re out of luck. The sun won't cast a shadow. You’ll have to sit by a campfire—which you can luckily light inside the nearby cabin—and wait for a clear day.
I’ve seen people try to use Cryonis blocks for this. While it technically works because Cryonis blocks are physical objects that cast shadows, the height and angle make it a nightmare to line up compared to just holding a snowball. The snowball is the intended "key."
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The cabin where you find the diary is actually a great spot for resource gathering too. You’ll find some wood, maybe a Flint, and it provides shelter from the "Level 2" cold. If you don’t have the full Snowquill set from Rito Village, you’re going to be eating spicy peppers like they’re candy just to stay alive while you wait for 4:00 PM to roll around.
Dealing with the Frustration of Weather
Hyrule’s weather system is notoriously mean. You can be at 15:50, the sun is out, you’ve got your snowball ready, and suddenly a blizzard rolls in. The pedestal goes dark. It’s annoying. If that happens, don’t just stand there. Go back to the cabin, rest until noon the next day, and try again.
There’s a certain satisfaction in seeing that orange light turn blue. It feels more like an "Indiana Jones" moment than a standard video game puzzle. You aren't hitting a switch; you're manipulating the world's natural cycles.
Beyond the Shrine: Exploring Daval Peak
Once you finish the secret of snowy peaks breath of the wild, don't just fast-travel away. The area around Daval Peak and the Mount Granajh region is packed with stuff. There are Korok seeds hidden under rocks that require you to look at the geometry of the mountain peaks.
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- The South Lomei Labyrinth is visible from this high up, looking like a giant stone ribcage in the desert.
- Lynels roam the lower tundras nearby. If you’re feeling brave (and have the armor for it), they drop some of the best gear in the game.
- Ore deposits are everywhere. The snowy peaks are a goldmine for Sapphires and Diamonds, which you’ll need if you want to upgrade your gear at the Great Fairy Fountains.
Most players treat shrines like a checklist. Go in, get the Spirit Orb, leave. But the journey to Suma Sahma is the actual content. It forces you to look at the sun, notice the terrain, and understand the weight of a snowball. It's a reminder that Breath of the Wild isn't a game about icons on a map; it's a game about being present in a living world.
The secret of snowy peaks is a test of patience. In a world of fast-paced combat and flashy powers, it asks you to stand still and watch a shadow move.
Actionable Steps for Success
To wrap this up and get that shrine out of your quest log, follow this exact sequence:
- Prepare for the Cold: Ensure you have at least two pieces of the Snowquill armor set or a "high-level" spicy food buff. The peak is deadly cold.
- Clear the Weather: Use the campfire in the ruined cabin to "Wait until Noon." If it's raining or snowing at noon, wait again. You need a clear, sunny sky.
- The Snowball Prep: Pick up a snowball near the cliffside. Walk around with it so it grows to a medium size (roughly Link's height).
- Positioning: Stand near the pedestal starting at 15:30. Hold the snowball over your head using the "Lift" command.
- The Sweet Spot: Face the sun. Watch the shadow on the pedestal. As the sun dips, the shadow will move upward. When it covers the center of the glowing circle, hold perfectly still until the pedestal turns blue.
Once the shrine appears, the "Secret of the Snowy Peaks" quest will officially mark as complete. You’ve mastered the elements, or at least, you've mastered the art of holding a giant ball of ice at the right time. Head inside, grab your chest reward, and enjoy the fact that you never have to stand on that freezing ledge again.